Entertainment
Matt Smith reads 1984 audiobook to highlight issues surrounding online surveillance
Matt Smith is lending his voice to George Orwell’s work (Picture: Matt Crossick/PA Wire)
Matt Smith has just released a new audiobook, lending his voice to George Orwell’s classic novel 1984.
The Doctor Who star is narrating a re-released version of the book titled 2021 in partnership with cyber-security providers Avast.
The aim of the project is to highlight the complexities and issues surrounding online surveillance.
The audiobook, which is available for free on Spotify and Apple Podcasts from today, see the actor reading the diaries of the fictional character Winston Smith.
However, all the dates have been changed from 1984 to 2021.
Matt says the themes of hyper-surveillance which Orwell detailed in the original book, first released in 1949, will ring even more true to today’s society with these amends.
The new re-released 2021 comes with a re-imaged front cover created by illustrator Rodrigo Corral. (Picture: Matt Crossick/PA Wire)
‘Twenty Twenty-One demonstrates the similarities between our modern connected lives and many of the hyper-surveillance themes Orwell predicted over 70 years ago,’ wrote the company in a statement.
‘Nineteen Eighty-Four is a literary classic and Winston is a fascinating character, so to be able to bring the story into the modern day is an honour,’ said Smith.
‘Great literature maintains a universality over the course of time – particularly true in the case of this novel, which still feels extremely pertinent today,’ added the House of the Dragon actor.
Matt Smith’s audiobook is available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts (Picture: Matt Crossick/PA Wire)
‘I’ve got involved in this project as I feel having digital freedom online is so important in today’s society.
‘In a world where we may feel required to share more of ourselves than ever before, it’s something we should endeavour to be really diligent about.’
More: Doctor Who
Matt’s character works for the oppressive totalitarian government regime of the mysterious Big Brother and is tasked with rewriting historical records.
But, as he falls in love and begins an affair with a colleague named Julia, his beliefs in Big Brother start to crumble and he begins to fight back.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Matt Smith enjoyed playing ‘sleazy’ Last Night in Soho role: ‘He frightens me’
